Mariah is a Berlin-based writer with six years of experience in writing, localizing and SEO-optimizing short- and long-form content across multiple niches, including higher education, digital marketing and travel. Her writing expertise extends to bra.
Mariah St. John Education WriterMariah is a Berlin-based writer with six years of experience in writing, localizing and SEO-optimizing short- and long-form content across multiple niches, including higher education, digital marketing and travel. Her writing expertise extends to bra.
Written By Mariah St. John Education WriterMariah is a Berlin-based writer with six years of experience in writing, localizing and SEO-optimizing short- and long-form content across multiple niches, including higher education, digital marketing and travel. Her writing expertise extends to bra.
Mariah St. John Education WriterMariah is a Berlin-based writer with six years of experience in writing, localizing and SEO-optimizing short- and long-form content across multiple niches, including higher education, digital marketing and travel. Her writing expertise extends to bra.
Education Writer Brenna Swanston Deputy EditorBrenna Swanston is an education-focused editor and writer with a particular interest in education equity and alternative educational paths. As a newswriter in her early career, Brenna's education reporting earned national awards and state-level accol.
Brenna Swanston Deputy EditorBrenna Swanston is an education-focused editor and writer with a particular interest in education equity and alternative educational paths. As a newswriter in her early career, Brenna's education reporting earned national awards and state-level accol.
Written By Brenna Swanston Deputy EditorBrenna Swanston is an education-focused editor and writer with a particular interest in education equity and alternative educational paths. As a newswriter in her early career, Brenna's education reporting earned national awards and state-level accol.
Brenna Swanston Deputy EditorBrenna Swanston is an education-focused editor and writer with a particular interest in education equity and alternative educational paths. As a newswriter in her early career, Brenna's education reporting earned national awards and state-level accol.
Deputy Editor David Clingenpeel contributorDavid has spent much of his career in the higher education space. He has worked in development and admissions, while currently serving as an associate registrar and adjunct faculty. His areas of interest are academic policy and finance, education des.
David Clingenpeel contributorDavid has spent much of his career in the higher education space. He has worked in development and admissions, while currently serving as an associate registrar and adjunct faculty. His areas of interest are academic policy and finance, education des.
David Clingenpeel contributorDavid has spent much of his career in the higher education space. He has worked in development and admissions, while currently serving as an associate registrar and adjunct faculty. His areas of interest are academic policy and finance, education des.
David Clingenpeel contributorDavid has spent much of his career in the higher education space. He has worked in development and admissions, while currently serving as an associate registrar and adjunct faculty. His areas of interest are academic policy and finance, education des.
Updated: Apr 5, 2024, 12:21pm
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Many colleges and universities require students to submit scores from the SAT® or the ACT®—both nationally recognized standardized exams—as a part of their admissions processes. And even though a growing number of schools are becoming test-optional, submitting scores can strengthen your application and help you qualify for merit scholarships.
So, how do you know whether to take the ACT vs. SAT?
Each test is unique in terms of subjects covered, structure and scoring scales. However, both are used to measure students’ proficiency, knowledge and skills in core areas such as reading, writing and math. This guide explores the fundamental components of each standardized test, including key differences between the SAT vs. ACT, SAT hints and ACT tips.
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Most four-year universities and colleges require prospective students to take the SAT or ACT and meet minimum score requirements as a part of their application process. Each school has a unique admissions process and weighs standardized test scores differently.
Generally, standardized test scores indicate a learner’s college readiness, help determine their placement in college courses and can inform merit-based scholarship awards.
The SAT and ACT share several similarities. Colleges and universities often accept both exams as part of their admissions processes and to determine scholarship awards for incoming students.
Both the SAT and ACT evaluate similar topics, including reading, writing and mathematics. On both tests, the reading and writing and language sections are entirely passage-based. These sections measure students’ proficiency in key areas that help determine college readiness.
Neither exam penalizes students for incorrect or blank answers. Both award points for correct answers only.
Although the SAT and ACT share many similarities, some key distinctions are worth noting. Below are some key differences between the two tests:
The SAT is a standardized entrance exam administered by the College Board. This exam is widely used by colleges and universities as a part of their admissions and internal scholarship processes.
The SAT covers the following subjects:
Below is a brief overview of each subject, including section structure and the themes and topics covered in those sections. You can find the most up-to-date information on what’s covered in each section of the test in the College Board’s SAT section.
The reading portion of the SAT contains short reading passages and pairs of passages ranging from 25 to 150 words, each followed by a multiple-choice question. These passages deal with four subject areas:
In addition to these subject areas, the SAT reading and writing passages draw on four content domains:
The reading test consists of two modules, each of which relates to all four domains. Test takers have 64 minutes to complete both modules.
This test features two modules, each containing questions related to four categories:
Questions include both multiple-choice and student-produced response formats and are arranged within each module from easiest to most difficult. About 30% are word problems. Students have 70 minutes to complete the math section, with a 10-minute break between the math and verbal tests.
The SAT consists of two parts: a math test and a reading and writing test. Most of the exam is multiple choice; however, some math questions may ask test takers to write out their answers. Below you’ll find a breakdown of the allotted time for each section:
The SAT math test was previously broken up into two sections—a calculator-allowed portion and a no-calculator portion—but the new digital SAT allows calculators throughout the test. The College Board restricts the type of calculator test takers may use during the exam. Most graphing calculators are allowed, as are all scientific and four-function calculators. To ensure your calculator adheres to the guidelines, review the SAT’s up-to-date calculator policy.
Calculators are not allowed during the reading and writing section. Students must bring their own calculators. The College Board recommends bringing a calculator you’re familiar with rather than obtaining a new one for the exam.
The highest score a test taker can earn on the SAT is 1600. The average SAT score is 1028, according to a 2023 report from the College Board. Participants aren’t penalized for incorrect or unanswered questions.
The ACT is a standardized, multiple-choice exam that colleges and universities widely use to make admission decisions. As of February 2024, test takers can choose between digital and pencil-and-paper formats. The ACT quantifies college readiness among high school students and provides colleges and universities with data points used to compare all applicants.
The ACT covers the following subjects:
Below we overview each test subject.
The English section comprises 75 multiple-choice questions that test rhetorical skills, grammar, punctuation and sentence structure. Test takers have 45 minutes to complete this section.
The math test consists of 60 multiple-choice questions that cover Algebra I, Algebra II, geometry and trigonometry. The ACT does not provide any formulas at the beginning of the math test, so it’s critical to memorize relevant formulas to recall them during the exam. Test takers have 60 minutes to complete this section.
The reading section assesses your ability to read closely, use evidence to reason about the texts you read and synthesize information from a variety of sources. This section comprises 40 questions, which test takers have 35 minutes to complete.
The ACT’s dedicated science section consists of 40 multiple-choice questions, which test takers have 35 minutes to complete. The questions are drawn from science-based passages, charts, tables, graphs, research summaries, experiments and opposing viewpoints. Topics include chemistry, biology, physics and earth and space sciences, such as geology, meteorology and astronomy.
Topics include chemistry, biology, physics and earth and space sciences, such as geology, meteorology and astronomy.
The ACT is composed of four primary tests and an optional essay section.
The total testing time is two hours and 55 minutes without the writing section, or three hours and 35 minutes with the writing section.
The ACT allows you to use a calculator during the entire math test. You must ensure your calculator adheres to the ACT’s calculator policy. You can use your own calculator regardless of test format, and the digital ACT also offers a built-in calculator app.
The ACT includes an optional writing section. This section consists of one essay, which test takers have 40 minutes to complete. The prompt typically addresses contemporary issues and provides three distinct perspectives. Each student must write about their view and position on the issue as it relates to one of the given perspectives.
The writing test is scored separately from the rest of the ACT.
The number of questions answered correctly is converted to a score of 1 to 36 for each of the four tests. Your composite score is the average of those four scores rounded to the nearest whole number. The highest score you can receive on the ACT is 36; however, the average test score was 19.8 as of 2022, according to the ACT. No points are deducted for incorrect answers, and there’s no penalty for guessing.
Several factors can help you determine which test you should take. For example, if you prefer having more time to answer questions, the SAT provides more time per question than the ACT. Comparatively, the ACT is more time-intensive, moving at a quicker pace than the SAT.
While both the SAT and ACT cover similar math topics, the ACT involves slightly more complex and a broader range of math topics, featuring a higher concentration of geometry questions, logarithms, matrices and trigonometry.
If you have the time and resources, it may be a good idea to take both exams. Since the ACT and SAT differ in terms of structure, content and strategy, it’s possible you may perform better on one exam than the other.
Practice tests give students a better sense of how they might perform on the real thing. Simulating the testing conditions of each exam, especially the time limits of each section, can help you gain a stronger sense of how long you need to perform each section and which areas could use some improvement. It can also help reduce test anxiety by increasing your familiarity and preparation.
On CollegeBoard’s website, you can find a free downloadable full-length practice SAT test. ACT.org also provides a free downloadable full-length practice ACT test.
Recently—and especially since the Covid-19 pandemic began—more colleges and universities have changed their testing policies, placing less weight on standardized test scores and instead shifting their focus toward a more holistic review process that emphasizes application components such as GPA, course rigor, letters of recommendation and nonacademic factors.
With that being said, many schools still require students to take and submit SAT or ACT scores as a part of their application process. Even if your prospective school does not require standardized test scores, submitting strong scores voluntarily may improve your chances of admission.
The SAT is not harder than the ACT. Both tests vary slightly in terms of subjects covered and structure. These variations can affect each test taker differently, making one exam more challenging than the other. Taking full-length practice tests of each type can help you determine which may be best suited for you.
Generally, colleges and universities do not prefer the SAT or the ACT. Unless a school explicitly states otherwise, both standardized entrance exams are widely accepted at schools across the U.S.
While both exams help colleges and universities gauge students’ academic performance and readiness for higher education, the SAT and ACT have some key differences. At two hours and 14 minutes, the SAT is slightly shorter than the ACT, which takes about three hours to complete. The SAT also allows students more time per question. The ACT includes tests in English, math, reading and science, plus an optional essay, while the SAT includes only two sections—a verbal and a math section.
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Education WriterMariah is a Berlin-based writer with six years of experience in writing, localizing and SEO-optimizing short- and long-form content across multiple niches, including higher education, digital marketing and travel. Her writing expertise extends to brand strategies and driving small business growth through targeted content. In the last three years, she's primarily produced education-focused content, writing on topics like degree programs, trade schools and career pathways.
Deputy EditorBrenna Swanston is an education-focused editor and writer with a particular interest in education equity and alternative educational paths. As a newswriter in her early career, Brenna's education reporting earned national awards and state-level accolades in California and North Carolina. Since 2018, she has worked in the higher-education web content space, where she aims to help current and prospective students of all backgrounds find effective, accessible pathways to rewarding careers.
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